This is arguably the biggest top-flight game that Pawson, a Select Group official since 2013, has officiated to date.

The Sheffield-based whistler will also be on fourth official duties next week for Sunderland v Crystal Palace on Tuesday and Liverpool’s Capital One Cup final re-match with Manchester City at Anfield on Wednesday.

He will hope for a similarly easy game to Anthony Taylor, who handled Arsenal’s 3-0 win over United at the Emirates back in October in which the Gunners scored all three goals in the opening 20 minutes.

The highly-rated official recently oversaw his 50th top-flight match in West Ham’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City at Upton Park – in which he awarded City a penalty and booked Martin Demichelis for a foul many thought deserved red for denying a goalscoring opportunity.

Experienced: Pawson first took up the whistle in 1993 and progressed through the Sheffield and Hallamshire leagues (Picture from Sky Sports)

Pawson was also recognised for his progress in January 2015 by being elevated on to Fifa status – one of seven English officials currently on the international list.

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